PoweredUSB

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PoweredUSB, also known as Retail USB, USB PlusPower, USB +Power, is an addition to the Universal Serial Bus standard that allows for higher-power devices to obtain power through their USB host instead of requiring an independent power supply.

The standard was developed by IBM, NCR, and FCI/Berg ^[1] but is not endorsed by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) ^[2]. It's also encumbered by patents and fees "IBM owns the intellectual rights to PoweredUSB. IBM has a one time licensing fee of $5,000.00 for the ability to use this technology". ^[3]

PoweredUSB uses a different type of connector than standard USB, though it maintains the standard USB interface for data communications and adds a second connector for power.

The standard allows for three different voltages, providing power at 5V (30 watts), 12V (72 watts), and 24 volts (144 watts). The three voltages are able to operate at up to 6 amperes (traditional USB operates at 5V and up to 500mA) ^[4].

As each PoweredUSB plug provides one of three voltages, the plugs come keyed in three versions so they will only accept connections from devices requiring that version's voltage ^[5].